What chicken behavior had you scratching your head?

[Crooked Chicken]

When you got your very first chickens, what behavior had you scratching your head, amused you, had you very concerned?

When I got my chicks I began taking them out to the yard for part of the afternoon (supervised). I was so surprised to see how active they were. I never knew that chickens full out ran so much. They are 4 months old now and run more than ever.

When I let them out of their run in the morning they race over to one part of the yard. After they've bug hunted they all take off to the far corner of the property. They do this as a flock throughout the day. They also venture out on their own, but have their favorite hangouts and dust bathing areas.

I was also a bit surprised at how quickly they learned to return to the coop/run once they were moved outside. I only kept them in the enclosure for a day before letting them out. That first evening they returned at dusk. I do a quick head count, ensure no predators are inside and lock the doors.

I just can't get enough watching them. They make me laugh daily!

 

[XanderWiFi]

Right now I am trying to learn their calls. When they see me they let out this "grawwwwww" long and low pitched, almost like a growl but not aggressive at all. It tends to come from the most affectionate ones so I do not know if it is a happy call or what.

Secondly, when I crouch down to pet them or check their feed/water they used to "front" on me, or come up, put their backs straight and tall. Kind of like when people get in one another's faces like they're going to fight. A couple bigger loomings and nudges backwards they do not do it to me but will come up and do it to any of them I may be holding and petting. I have even seen them attempt to peck the one I am holding. I have read this I "captive" behavior-what I interpret as the other's chance to gang up on one that has been submitted but just seems strange.

Lastly, I've noticed that one of my white leghorns? does not seem to like my polish? chicken. The polish was attacked by a hawk and we subsequently nursed her back to health (ICU nurse here and NP wife). She made a full recovery with the exception of a little "hop-a-long" limp when fully running but otherwise perches, scrapes and walks perfectly. In any case, she is very sweet and has been getting blocked or chased away from the food at times. The other night at tuck in time the white pushed her off the perch and then nudged her to the edge again before moving back to her area. They tend to behave better when I am around though as bullies get caught and held for a bit.

I wish I knew more about all their different calls and body language though. I've had one particular black leghorn? named "Vader" who HATED to be touched but all are to receive mandatory cuddles and pets. As soon as I scooped her up and petted and scratched a few seconds she seemed to lull into a sleep closing her eyes. Pleasure? Or fear submission? I do not know.

 

[aart]

Cockbird in nest chatting away for 30 minutes...next day egg there, he never got in nest again. Quickly learned by searching BYC that they do that to show hens where to lay.

There are a plethora of other things but....

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Right now I am trying to learn their calls. When they see me they let out this "grawwwwww" long and low pitched, almost like a growl but not aggressive at all. It tends to come from the most affectionate ones so I do not know if it is a happy call or what.
I wish I knew more about all their different calls and body language though. I've had one particular black leghorn? named "Vader" who HATED to be touched but all are to receive mandatory cuddles and pets. As soon as I scooped her up and petted and scratched a few seconds she seemed to lull into a sleep closing her eyes. Pleasure? Or fear submission? I do not know.

I'm still trying to figure out some of those calls too. My boy Pearl makes that noise too -- it almost sounds like a purr. And then there's Red Rider's "uh uh uh" as in beware...

 

[Crooked Chicken]

The amount of running they do really has surprised me. You'd think they would be very skinny!

 

[Patinas]

Their soft "whistles" sound just like guinea pigs! I also had no idea how chatty they are, whether directed at me or just hanging with their flock. They seem to be constantly communicating with each other. I find myself really wanting to know what they are communicating so I spend quite a bit of time watching their behavior and the sounds they make. Still scratching my head though...sounds like gibberish but with meaning!

 

[Chickassan]

I'm trying to understand why my whole flock "less the cockrel" is terrified of a tiny pullet when usually a new girl gets a proper hazing.